Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster has concluded her five day mission to India to promote trade, investment and encourage tourism.
The Minister led an Invest Northern Ireland 26 company-strong trade mission to India and visited New Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore.
Commenting on the mission, the Minister said: “The growth in the Indian economy holds a great deal of promise for trade and investment opportunities and the potential to attract more Indian visitors to Northern Ireland.
“Invest NI’s office now has an established presence in Mumbai, which offers Northern Ireland companies high quality advice and assistance. This makes it easier for firms to explore export opportunities and ultimately do business in this dynamic market at a difficult economic time.”
One of the 26 companies that accompanied the Minister on her mission was Cookstown-based Anaconda Equipment International. It designs and manufactures conveyor systems for use in mining, quarrying and material recycling.
This was Anaconda’s second visit to India and Con Gallagher from the company was impressed by the export opportunities available.
Mr Gallagher said: 'Invest NI's offices in Mumbai and Belfast have carried out some exceptional research and arranged quality meetings with prospective Indian companies. We hope to exploit trade opportunities and expand our export potential in the future."
The Minister concluded: “Northern Ireland has a long established relationship with India dating back to the 17th century and I hope that by continuing to work, research, study and trade together, both countries can mutually benefit and develop into prosperous and vibrant societies.”
About Invest Northern Ireland
Invest Northern Ireland is the business development agency for this region of the United Kingdom. It is responsible for securing new investment from overseas in the internationally traded services and niche manufacturing sectors. Focusing in particular on the financial services and ICT sectors, Invest NI works in partnership with public and private sector organisations to establish Northern Ireland as a high performance, high skilled and high value location for international business. Invest NI also works with Northern Ireland companies to promote international trade, increase competitiveness, entrepreneurship and harness innovation, helping to facilitate the creation of more and better quality business start-ups. Invest NI is headquartered in Belfast and delivers its services through a network of local and international offices including one in Mumbai, established in September 2007. Northern Ireland has secured investments from four major Indian IT & BPO companies, which between them have invested nearly USD 160 million and employ nearly 3,000 people:
- HCL Technologies Ltd
- Polaris Software Labs
- Firstsource Solutions
- Tech Mahindra
